At least 11 people were confirmed dead after a boat carrying around 20 people, including children, capsized in the Ganga River in Raghopur in Bihar’s Vaishali district on Monday. Search and rescue operations are underway.
In a separate incident in August, a boat carrying 21 labourers capsized during anti-erosion work along the Ganga River in Raghopur block, Bhagalpur’s Naugachia sub-division. SDRF personnel rescued 19 individuals, to District Magistrate Alankrita Pandey. Additionally, the DM strictly prohibited anyone under 18 from being engaged in high-risk works.
In an X post, Yadav said, “Distressing news has been received regarding a boat capsize in the Raghopur Diara area. “After consulting with local residents, the administration, and officials, instructions have been issued to expedite relief, rescue, and medical treatment operations,” added RJD leader. Officials said the vessel capsized after becoming unbalanced, although the precise cause of the accident has yet to be established.
Raghopur member of the Legislative Assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav expressed grief over the incident. Most of those who drowned are children. May God keep everyone safe. The boat was carrying passengers between riverbank hamlets when it overturned in the Raghopur police station area. others drowned While some passengers managed to swim ashore. Local residents who witnessed the incident rushed to assist those on board and alerted the authorities. Personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed to search for those still missing. However, darkness and the depth of the river have made the rescue operation more difficult. The workers aboard were from Ghogha, Ismailpur, and Parbatta. Upon receiving word of the accident, local administration, police, and a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team equipped with motorboats and life jackets rushed to the site to launch a rescue operation, supported by local divers and villagers. Following the mishap, the district administration banned the use of boats for transporting materials in flood control operations, mandating tractors for geo-bag movement instead.
